nicolewhopickedthisbook's review
I put this book down and read another book to give this one a break and I came to the conclusion that I have no interest in continuing with this book. It's hard for me to say that about a Kennedy Ryan book because I have loved and adored the three others I've read from her thus far, but I just cannot stand the cheating in this book. I typically don't mind cheating in a book if the person one of the love interests is in a relationship with is a terrible person or they're abusive, but Zo is an amazing guy and does not deserve what happened to him.
Banner and Jared knew each other in college and had a falling out. Ten years pass before they interact again and Banner is in a committed relationship with a man named Zo. When Jared comes back into her life, he is DETERMINED to get her back and doesn't take no for an answer... quite literally, there are multiple times Banner says "No" or "Stop" but Jared pushed until he wears her down and eventually gives in on two separate sexual encounters before she comes clean with Zo. That same day/night, Jared comes over, refuses to leave, and they end up sleeping together, just sleeping though. That's when I stopped. I do not care how these two get their happily ever after. Jared is almost a completely different person from the one we met in book one, it's almost jarring. That being said, the cheating aspect might not bother you, but combine that with Jared's behavior and complete lack of respect for anyone but what he wants... that's where I draw the line.
Banner and Jared knew each other in college and had a falling out. Ten years pass before they interact again and Banner is in a committed relationship with a man named Zo. When Jared comes back into her life, he is DETERMINED to get her back and doesn't take no for an answer... quite literally, there are multiple times Banner says "No" or "Stop" but Jared pushed until he wears her down and eventually gives in on two separate sexual encounters before she comes clean with Zo. That same day/night, Jared comes over, refuses to leave, and they end up sleeping together, just sleeping though. That's when I stopped. I do not care how these two get their happily ever after. Jared is almost a completely different person from the one we met in book one, it's almost jarring. That being said, the cheating aspect might not bother you, but combine that with Jared's behavior and complete lack of respect for anyone but what he wants... that's where I draw the line.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Fatphobia
Minor: Self harm and Suicide attempt
andycob's review
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Sexual harassment, Infidelity, Terminal illness, Misogyny, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Drug use, Fatphobia, and Eating disorder
Minor: Suicide attempt and Toxic relationship
cookie_123's review
got bored super repetitive
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming
Minor: Suicide attempt
dlrosebyh's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
the first part of the book before the cheating trope was entertaining. i was rooting for the couple because i’m a sucker for enemies to lovers and second chance romances.
however, after the cheating incident, the story went downhill. kennedy ryan should have had made the second chance romance better without the cheating trope.
not only that, but the character development was threw out of the window until the last few chapters of the book. banner’s character was very relatable, but i do not tolerate her actions with her former boyfriend. on the other hand, i did not like jared at all. he is your typical egotistical athlete who doesn’t care about anything. oftentimes, he gets into my nerves, especially that he does not communicate properly. he always jumps into conclusions and that frustrated me so bad.
however, after the cheating incident, the story went downhill. kennedy ryan should have had made the second chance romance better without the cheating trope.
not only that, but the character development was threw out of the window until the last few chapters of the book. banner’s character was very relatable, but i do not tolerate her actions with her former boyfriend. on the other hand, i did not like jared at all. he is your typical egotistical athlete who doesn’t care about anything. oftentimes, he gets into my nerves, especially that he does not communicate properly. he always jumps into conclusions and that frustrated me so bad.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Fatphobia, and Body shaming
Moderate: Cancer, Bullying, and Chronic illness
Minor: Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, and Sexual content
ooohshereads's review
Sadly DNF @ 57%
Okay. Let me start by saying that I still loved Kennedy’s writing and it definitely hit me emotionally BUT I felt like there wasn’t enough set up when they were younger for me to be emotionally invested in them when they were older and getting together. Jared was at times a hero who I could swoon over and then on the next page he left a bad test in my mouth. Banner was to flippy floppy for me.
I’ve loved cheating romances in the past but this one just didn’t sit right. Zo was such a good guy and I legit couldn’t agree or see Banners side at all.
If we had a few more chapters of them in college. Either in a relationship or their friendship, I probably could have been more invested.
The whole time reading this I just had a uncomfortable feeling. I know it’s meant to test your morality or to show that sometimes everything is not just as simple as we think but it failed on all accounts to do this for me.
Okay. Let me start by saying that I still loved Kennedy’s writing and it definitely hit me emotionally BUT I felt like there wasn’t enough set up when they were younger for me to be emotionally invested in them when they were older and getting together. Jared was at times a hero who I could swoon over and then on the next page he left a bad test in my mouth. Banner was to flippy floppy for me.
I’ve loved cheating romances in the past but this one just didn’t sit right. Zo was such a good guy and I legit couldn’t agree or see Banners side at all.
If we had a few more chapters of them in college. Either in a relationship or their friendship, I probably could have been more invested.
The whole time reading this I just had a uncomfortable feeling. I know it’s meant to test your morality or to show that sometimes everything is not just as simple as we think but it failed on all accounts to do this for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Eating disorder, and Body shaming
Minor: Suicide attempt
lovinglyread's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Infidelity, and Sexual content
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Sexism, Sexual assault, and Suicide attempt
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